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Editorial: Gamers Sour On Activision

There comes a point when a major corporation eventually rubs their customers the wrong way; it's almost inevitable, especially if that corporation is ambitious, motivated, and fully capable of continually trouncing the competition. It seems Activision, while arguably the world's largest video game publisher (depending on which numbers you examine), has sorta "topped out" and is currently on the downhill portion of the reputation roller-coaster.

There's little doubt that Activision has delivered some fine gaming experiences this generation, and to say they haven't is to insult a great many consumers who have enjoyed games like those that are within the stellar Call of Duty franchise. And really, CoD is just the tip of the iceberg (Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk, anyone?), so Activision has been raking it in lately. They should continue to do so this holiday season, 'cuz we all know what titles will be hitting store shelves for the big consumer rush. However, all this being said, Activision has been getting on many a gamer's nerves lately, and it started with that threat PlayStation 3 owners remember well. Oh yeah, you remember it...

So CEO Bobby Kotick said Activision might have to stop supporting the PS3 if Sony didn't drop the price of the machine. Now, this price drop will invariably happen soon enough, but that's not the point; the point is that Activision simply wanted to apply pressure. They wanted the PS3 to be as cheap as possible for obvious reasons, but every last analyst and journalist out there knew it was nothing but an empty threat. There's no way on earth Activision ignores 24 million potential buyers of their products, and all they did is succeed in ticking off a lot of PS3 owners. But they didn't stop there. A few days ago, Kotick incited another mini riot when he said that he'd "make game prices higher if he could." While we're certain there is some merit to this statement, it's not the kind of thing people want to hear.

As is, many people already think the price of games is a bit too high (we don't agree; not when you factor in how many hours of entertainment you receive for the price, but whatever). Then, if you consider the extra high cost of the many bundles Activision has prepared for the next few months, people become even more incensed. You've got plenty of Guitar Hero spin-offs, a ridiculous Prestige Edition for Modern Warfare 2, plus other music-based bundle packages like DJ Hero; none of which are going to be cheap. Activision has been able to dominate the market with the franchises in question, and those games have been excellent. They really have. There's no way in hell Activision attains this lofty position in the industry unless they gave gamers stuff they wanted. Does anyone honestly think that millions of fans are just buying the games because they like Activision, the company? Come on.

They often have great stuff. And of course, they know how to promote it (maybe Sony should take some lessons). But as of now, it's my suggestion to Activision and CEO Kotick to lighten up a bit on this holier-than-thou approach. We appreciate the ambition and dedication; we really do. We know business is always a competition and if you relent for even a split second, you could lose your edge. I accept all of this. However, at the same time, reputation does play a role and at this point, Activision is taking a tongue-lashing from many gamers around the Internet; just take a look around if you're skeptical. This reminds me of the widespread chastisement of Square-Enix in the past few years, but this is different; Activision brought this on themselves in the span of only a few months. Seriously, guys...your approval rating is kinda low right now.

You may want to do something to bring that up before the holidays are upon us. Or maybe you just don't care...?

Why? What the F makes IW saints in all this? You think big scary Activision would drop them if they did the TINY and ONLY decent thing by distancing themselves from blatantly ripping off UK gamers? No, Acti won't upset their pet dev and you know it, IW know it and so does Activision.

Fact is that with their silence IW are fully supporting Activisions stance and anyone buying the game at full Uk retail is doing the same PLUS sticking a knife in gamers the world over and should be ashamed of themselves. Making yourself feel better by claiming you're getting it for a dev who cares just as little about gamers as Acti do is selfish and just you finding a way to play the game without feeling bad.

I'll be doing the decent thing and avoiding any Activision product like the plague til things change-and as a UK gamer that's already told 21 people about this(who aren't getting the game either now)refuse to be part of a worldwide price hike caused by nothing other than the greed of Activision AND Infinity Ward. Anyone getting the game in the UK is really doing themselves and every gamer a bad disservice.

Whatever, just don't imagine for a second that IW are any better than Activision. They have every opportunity to say something on the pricing issue but have said nothing and you can only take that as supporting Activisions underhand quest to stealth up game prices at a time when every other luxury item is falling in price and doing it, which makes it worse, in a country they already rip off(remember the cost of GHWT band bundle?)that has also been hit harder with job losses than any other in the west.

You had a very strong argument in what you said. Although personally, I don't agree with you, I acknowledge that what you said was a heck of a strong argument, and you just owned me, was all I can say.

It does seem that way, but to me, MW2 is the only game I'll buy, not now, nor never their other games (was 0% interested in them to be honest) and hey, I guess everyone's entitled to their opinions right?

As long as there are no hard feelings or unnecessary immaturity, I don't mind what the other side has to say.

Maybe he's just been holding his tongue too long about certain games he despises like Guitar Hero? I hate it too, but I'll leave it at that. Or maybe he's disappointed with gamers in general this generation? Like the insane amount of tards who say SF4 is decent at best but they think "knowing the moves" makes them 'good' at it? Then go around parading as "real gamers". The same gamers who think shooting games are complex? OOPS that's what I think too.

Really I feel the same, but sadly I know I can't really think so arrogant and believe Sony doesn't need Activision. Because CoD is hot especially after the War in Iraq, and most gamers today find quck kills so satisfying. While I do hate Guitar Hero, I know there are some bizarre individuals who find mashing plastic buttons more fun than playing real guitar. No, I don't think I'm above these gamers, I just don't see the appeal is all.

So there, while I don't like their games or own any, there are far more people who do. And that's why Sony needs them.

I kind of agree Scarecrow. I personally do not have many activision games apart from the CODs (and that's not deliberate). Personally I think if you can complete a full price game in one 4 hour sitting its a rip-off. Don't get me wrong: I totally enjoyed those four hours and all the other four, or so, hours in the previous CODs. COD1 was a refreshing addition to the FPS genre when it came out. But now there is no innovation any more. That's why I preferred FPSs like Killzone2, Resistance2 and Battlefield Bad Company). Yeah I know thier campaigns are not "that" long as well, but they're longer.

What happened to FPS's like the half-lifes I remember spending ages on my PC completing them, then ages on-line (the first one that is).

I only view on-line portion to games as an addition unless it is on-line only (like war-hawk).

If we could all flip Activision the virtual bird, I'd fly mine high, too.

I was angry when they didn't patch in rumble to CoD4. That may be absolutely unjust due to whatever, but I like to think they decided not to implement it when the DS4 came out.

And look what they did to Guitar Hero! It was once a fun franchise; now they've milked its udders too sore for me to care anymore. Honestly, the Guitar Hero: _____ scheme didn't change the franchise. They could have released those titles as DLC.

I understand that. It would be nice also concentrated on a more substantial campaign as well. I a person that does not buy games for the online element first off. And I think most people just stick to one or two online games . I know I do. Plus I don't play online for fun (like a single player game). Its really a sport.

I don't play the CODs on online (except for the PC versions). I could never get into them. And that's not to say I think the online is crap. COD does not suit. Now when I buy COD4 or WaW and spend an evening completing the campaign off-course I'm not going to be impressed.

Is the online game-play experience really going to be that different. For be COD4 and WaW wear virtually the same game (yes different, slightly bigger, maps and weapons), But the feel was the same. If I had enjoyed COD4 is WaW really worth getting? In the Quake 2 days WaW would have been called an a total conversion add-on. same game re-skinned.

Ben I do agree with you that we cant complain about the prices of games, for as long as I can remember, new games have always been priced at around £40 and when you now facor in that most games have an online component as well, its clear we are getting value for money. as a side note, Im only buyin the prestige edition coz I feel Im getting something for my money, the standard edition retails at £55! Thats £15 more than any other new release Rip-off! and I want to support Infinity Ward, screw Activision, Kotick needs to shut the eff up

When I heard that the RRP for MW2 was 55 quid I thought WTF!?! Are you serious?

But dude if you want to support Infinity Ward rather than Activision then I recommend NOT buying the prestige edition, because I would imagine most of that extra cash would go to Activision and not Infinity Ward.

I think games are priced well, but i would be against raising the price any more. I would actually like games to be an even $50 just because "50" is a more normal number than 60. I dont mind paying $60, but 50 just looks better. Yeah, im weird.Raising prices, especially now of all times, would just be a slap in the face to every gamer who works his crappy 9-5 job making shit pay just so he can go relax on his couch with COD. Or what about the guys having their hours cut so they can keep their job who may go home and play a few rounds of Tony Hawk so he doesnt have to think about how much it sucks only working 30 hours a week. No, its ok Activision, as long as your CEOs are making millions a year i guess we will all just pay whatever it is you want to charge for a game, right?

Perhaps if were werent in the middle of a huge effing recession i would be a bit more lax about this, but Kotic probably makes more in a week than i (or most other people) make a month, so he needs to keep his greedy little hands out of the jar and work on keeping his foot out of his mouth.

Activision are great. PS3 owners should be happy because they're just about the only people that release decent multi-platform titles.

I don't agree with the whole bitching about prestige edition. It sold out in a matter of minutes and they're only producing ONE batch. They're doing this for the hardcore fans of CoD. I would have gotten it myself but I didn't get my order in time.

You can't just hate on them because their idiotic CEO's are saying stupid things. They don't represent the whole company...

Guitar Hero was never my thing and the past few Tony Hawk installments have been less than stellar...CoD is really the only thing that interests me and they didn't even develop it...they published it...if credit is due anywhere it's Infinity Ward...Last edited by ThePearlJamer on 8/7/2009 10:27:31 PM

Activision has reached a sort of critical mass. At some point a company becomes big enough that it has to be run like, and behave like, a big company. Activision is right there, it's a big company, but the statements by Bobby Kotick and the legal actions and such like, are the actions of a small company trying to be bigger. Large companies and corporations, don't behave in that manner - they don't have to.

I think perhaps Mr Kotick is still stuck with the mind set of a CEO trying to grow his small/medium sized company into a big corporate. Perhaps he needs to realize that Activision is a big corporate now. Activision needs to work with partners - like Sony - and not alienate them. Nor is it a good idea to alienate consumers

Activision sucks compared to harmonix for all rhythm based games and COD4 can only have so much entertainment value. Activision has too many spinoffs that are the same game. Does anyone expect COD4 2 to be anything that wasn't in the first one.

Actually I agree with him I'm sure as hell not paying $65 for a map pack. I could care less about the story its all the same thing just displayed differently. And yea if this game is so huge why didn't they even make it 1080p or at least 720p, I know it might not seem like a huge difference but they haven't really made the game different. At least not enough for me to justify a purchase.

I won't count em out, the FF's are going to be huge, no doubt, but they put out some serious poop so far instead of focusing on what matters, and also made a bunch of douche moves that pissed off their base. I wouldn't call that an epic fail but definitely a fail nonetheless.

Okay, so I've played a couple Activision games back in my PS1/PS2 days, but the only Activision game I've ever play on my PS3 was COD4: MW, and since I am not that big of FPS fan anyway so I can definitely live without MW2. What that CEO said before really made me mad.

meh bobys walking on thin ice hopefully soon it will crack and he will freeze to death.i cant believe how cocky that SOB is, i just read a article with him saying "well were in better positions than our competitors"well when your releasing 10 GH games per year its hard not to be you cocky bast**d.i cant believe how up himself he is god im starting to think hes got balls for a brain, thats all hes worried about money who cares if were the most hated company in the industry as long as were making more money than other publishers.god if your up there listening, you need to send this bast**d to jigsaw.let him sort him out :DLast edited by ___________ on 8/8/2009 3:19:49 AM

Yes thats right I said it, Kotick has a really bad case of Verbal Diarreah, mabey he should go see a doctor or something. It could be serious. But yeah seriously I tottaly saw activisions popularity drop like a bag of potatoes.

Nobody can deny that they have put out good games . But the tactics they have used against their competition are despicable . What gives them the right to try and stop the release of Scatch DJ and Brutal Legend ? Cut throat competition is good , dishonourable lawsuits are not .

ActiVision have done good but this is mostly with CoD, i dunno about Guitar Hero. I don't think they come close to Take-Two,Capcom or EA considering the number of SUCCESFUL games each one of'em have out.

i dont own many Activison games...only COD4...thats the only game they have that i like...and i wont be paying stupid amount for a game wit NVG...& never..never would Activision pull support on Sonys console...they know it..we know it.

Even if they did pull support...they would be the ones losing out...theres a few games on PS3...coming to PS3 that could take centre stage as Number 1 online FPS..MAG..Killzone2(with the new maps keeps things interesting)..Killzone3 if they make it for PS3 & not PS4..Im not sure Resistance could do it...but who knows..

But i say..COD is a great game i gotta give them that...but...to be honest..pull the support if you really ment what you said...see if anyone gives a f**k..some people will but ALOT wont.

First the guy tells Sony to reduce the price of their system; then he says that game prices should go up. How hypocritical can he get? He is greedy, you see: If Sony lowers the cost of the ps3; the ps3 userbase will grow. Henceforth, more people to buy his product. He says game prices should go up, so that he can get more money flowing into his pocket.

Honestly, I'm sick of Activision Blizzard Vivendi or whatever they are called and of Bobby Kotick. I guess when you have the Xbots buying everything they cobble up without question, they can act cocky. Cornering the market of never-been-kissed teenage males who don't know any better and whose idea of a social life is going on XBL and acting like an idiot can make any executive's head big.

Honestly, I'm done with almost all of their franchises. I don't want [PROTOTYPE]. I don't want to overpay for a their gimmick games. I do respect Infinity Ward as well as CoD:W@W developer Treyarch (I actually dug W@W despite not being a war game fan) and I'll buy their games for them, not Activision. Maybe those 360 fans will eventually realize someday they are being taken for a ride.

I wont stop playing Nazi Zombies with my friends for a long time, its a blast. Without glitching, you chumps know who you are! Activision well Mr CEO seems to be getting a pretty big head about they're high sales. At this point if you appreciate the Devs I would just support them, yes Infinity Ward is talented but not gaming gods people geez. I can understand confidence because your company is doing well but its better to keep quiet on ridiculous comments like "Lets just raise the price of games". Yes games in other regions games are a bit more expensive but people in the US are having tough times coughing up $60+. Acivision had never really impressed me, MW2 will be good but I won't get it for some time. and only to support IW. Kotick shouldn't think he can get away with common ignorance, he will end up paying for it. Maybe not without my business, but not everyone will take his crap.

EVERYONE should stop supporting Activision. The fact is that in terms of falling GNP and jobs lost the UK has actually fallen even harder than the US. We already pay more for our games as well but the unilateral hike really takes the biscuit, imo, and none of my mates will support this by getting MW2. Some WILL pirate it for PC/360 that would have normally bought it(though I won't as I dont think two wrongs make a right no matter how yempting!)but what gets me is that people seem to think it's Ok to get it for IW's involvement in the game!

If they didn't agree with Activision's greed they could say something and that they haven't says much more to me-they're just as odious and bigotted against UK gamers as their publisher or even Kotick, imo. Why can't they distanmce themselves from the con that's being performed here?

Axcti want us ALL to pay more even during a recession when everything else is getting cheaper! If IW didn't want the justification of worldwide price hikes on the back of a successful UK trial why don't they just say so?

It all stinks, imo, and after Koticks ludicrous "waaaah PS3 it tooo DEAR! ZOMG! Oh noes we won't play with evil Sony no more" it looks even more greedy. I DID respect Infinity Ward as a developer and as decent sounding fellas when I've seen and heard interviews but Activision aren't their total m,asters and they should come out and say that this is, at least, a little out of line if they aren't to be tarred with the big greedy brush I made for EA a few years back but got out again for Acti the other week.

I hope a good few of my UK brethren DO avoid the game and save everyone's sking but, sadly, I feel gamers are too damn selfish and shortsighted these days and you'll all end up on the pointy end of Activisions next shafting.

I apologise in advance for both my casual UK gaming brothers and my selfish gaming UK brothers letting you all down over this-I guess the casual know no better but the selfish are as bad as Acti in my book and I'm so sick of gamers not sticking together these days that it shames me to think of our community at times. If we don't demand better treatment do we deserve better?

Oh well, off to tell more people how crappy this whole thing is in the hope of stopping a few more sales! (21 and counting! Wish me luck! I'm after getting 50 "no purchase!" pledges-and am yelling them all to spread the gospel according to the anti Kotick!)

BTW, should IW say something about this I would probably change my stancve to importing to get the message over but as it stands they're in this together as far as any of us can tell.

You "know" do you? No you don't. You might suspect but you know nothing. I "suspect" that most of my fellow UK gamers will let everyone down(mainly through ignorance opf the exact situation, mind)as they've done it before with many different consumer goods that were falsely inflated in price over here. However, I don't know it , do I?

Plus, I "know" a good few of the people who've said they won't buy the game(s)and, trust me, I doubt ANY of those will give in even if they want the damn game. There's plenty of other games to play, buy and be happy about and the world does NOT, contrary to what Acti would have you think, begin and end with COD and their unjust pricing policy.

You're fooling yourself if you think that's not supporting Activision. I explained how in another post, but (short version) the used game market drives sales of new games which otherwise wouldn't have been sold. So, in effect, part of your money does go to the publisher. The same applies to rentals to a lesser degree. Only piracy really hurts the publisher and anyone who pirates games is a prick.

While I don't condone what the CEO of activision said I don't think his threats have any real substance behind it. The guy's a moron... okay... but what I think is going on here is that people are picking apart every single thing this guy says in order to stir "stuff" up. I'm sure other people in the gaming industry have said similar or even stupider things in the past and most definately will do it in the future. This was just blown out of proportion...

Hike the prices so high nobody can afford to buy more than 3 games a year that give about 30hrs gameplay, then bi*** that piracy and used games sales are hurting them, those 3 games probably gave a total of 30hrs playtime for the whole year! What an inactive vision these idiots have.

Probably. I think that there is a foul language filter on the comments section. So, if you enter a comment with a swear word or two and after you submit it says it's awaiting moderator approval (even though you didn't include a link), it's probably the swearing. Simply click on the 'Edit' button and tone down your language. Then it will submit without an issue.

Will do, though the use of that word in that context in not classed as swearing, and is perfectly acceptable, well in the U.K anyway, but I know now for future and will steer clear of repeating this misunderstanding.